Edison Aerospace presents renewable green energy agricultural aviation solution at NAAA Convention
January 15, 2023 – Miami, FL – The December 2022 annual convention of the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) was the very first opportunity for Ag spray operators and pilots to see the Edison Heavy1 prototype spray aircraft.
Although the model that made its appearance was not the 40-foot wingspan with 3,000-pound MTOW of the production aircraft, it made a big impression by promising to give aerial applicators a better, cheaper, cleaner, and safer spray aircraft to upgrade to from their existing piston and turbine models. The requirements to fly the Edison Heavy1 will be the same Part 137 rules currently in place, so this plane will require the same level of experience and professionalism that is now required to fly AirTractor and Thrush aircraft in the field.
With an operating cost reduction of 50% when compared to a turbine sprayer and cleaner and quieter operation, the Edison Heavy1 is a revolutionary step up from internal combustion aircraft. Furthermore, by taking the pilot out of the airplane, Edison is working to save the lives lost every year spraying our crops by putting the pilot in a comfortable ground control station with full controls and first-person views just like sitting in the cockpit. Additionally, the pilot workload will be reduced with assistive features like optional automatic takeoff and landing and full flight envelope control, with hands-off automatic leveling provided by the flight computer.
There should be no one dying to help us raise better crops. Therefore, the goal of Edison Aerospace is to replace the majority of spray aircraft working in the US within 10 to 15 years. With patents pending on key technology and having established considerable traction among spray operators, other industry members, and interest from the USDA for assistance in their research programs, Edison Aerospace is in a unique position to revolutionize agricultural aviation and usher in the beginning of a clean, green, agricultural evolution that will first benefit the people working in the field today and the rural communities they call home.
Edison is working to deliver a win-win-win solution: helping our spray operators save operating costs and their lives, lowering the price for aerial application, thus increasing the market for the service, and giving the public cleaner skies and better, cheaper produce.
Contact: Gene Avakyan, CEO, at gene@edison.aero
